Two Arrested at Hong Kong Airport for Trafficking 9.8kg of Suspected Cannabis Worth $2 Million

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport

Hong Kong Customs yesterday (August 7) detected two drug trafficking cases at Hong Kong International Airport. About 9.8 kilograms of suspected cannabis buds with a total estimated market value of about $2 million were seized. Two males were arrested.

The first case involved a 37-year-old Mainland male passenger, and the second case involved a 32-year-old Mainland male passenger. Both arrived in Hong Kong from Bangkok, Thailand yesterday. During customs clearance, Customs officers found about 4.8kg and 5kg of suspected cannabis buds in their carry-on suitcases respectively. The two men were subsequently arrested.

While the investigation of the first case is ongoing, the arrested person in the second case has been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug. The case will be brought at the West Kowloon Magistrates' Courts on August 10.

Customs will continue to step up enforcement against drug trafficking activities through intelligence analysis. The department also reminds members of the public to stay alert and not participate in drug trafficking activities for monetary return. They must not accept hiring or delegation from another party to carry controlled items into and out of Hong Kong. They are also reminded not to carry unknown items for other people.

Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities.

Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment.

Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002/en).

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Hong Kong Customs detects two drug trafficking cases involving passengers at airport Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes

An incoming female passenger was sentenced to 10 weeks' imprisonment with a fine of $2,000 by the Tuen Mun Magistrates' Courts today (August 8) for possessing duty-not-paid cigarettes and failing to declare them to Customs officers, in contravention of Dutiable Commodities Ordinance (DCO).

Customs officers intercepted an incoming 68-year-old Mainland female passenger at the Lok Ma Chau Spur Line Control Point yesterday (August 7) and seized 1 181 duty-not-paid cigarettes from her personal baggage, with an estimated market value of about $5,900 and a duty potential of about $3,900. The passenger was subsequently arrested.

Customs welcomes the sentence. The custodial sentence has imposed a considerable deterrent effect and reflects the seriousness of the offences. Members of the public should not defy the law.

Customs reminds members of the public that under the DCO, cigarettes are dutiable goods to which the DCO applies. Any person who imports, deals with, possesses, sells or buys illicit cigarettes commits an offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $2 million and imprisonment for seven years.

Members of the public may report any suspected illicit cigarette activities to Customs' 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Incoming passenger convicted and jailed for possession of duty-not-paid cigarettes Source: HKSAR Government Press Releases